Yesterday we did manage to avoid rain for lots of the day, and it didn't warm up as much as expected keeping fairly chilly, with a bit of light rain falling at times. But generally quite bright at times.

The rain came once it was dark though and at times it was really raining very heavily and noisily.

Unfortunately, I woke up to the same sound this morning and there's no new snow to report on the ground here - just a real wet feel to things.

So lots of rain and no fresh snow at town level anyway, but there is better news from higher up with Kagura reporting 20cm up there. Though unfortunately some stronger winds mean the Tashiro area is closed for the day and Kagura is open from Mitsumata to the Kagura Number 1 quad... early on anyway.

Naeba are also reporting 5-10cm of snow overnight and a strongish wind but the Gondola seems to be planning to be open as normal.

Current conditions? Wet snow at last here, though rain still falling just to the north in Minamiuonuma. A moderate wind and these conditions should continue for the day. Hopefully we might get some fresh cm of snow out of it in the end. Fingers crossed!

Generally better conditions the higher up you go today.

Tomorrow should be calmer and conditions might clear up by the afternoon.

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Got to say it. It's really quite disappointing to see some places feel the need to say that it's 'best conditions' this morning - when it quite obviously is not. And choosing to just not mention rain. If today is 'best conditions', what is it when we have 50cm of fresh light powder to enjoy? We have plenty of those, so let's tell it like it is.

Complete honesty is surely the best way.

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Kandatsu Kogen open from 10pm tonight for those wanting an "all night"! Open from 10pm until 4am on Friday nights into Saturday morning, and from 6pm until 4am on Saturdays. Naeba also going for the night thing tomorrow night. Interesting! Actually I might just go one time when the weather is decent just for the experience.

Nighta 'night skiing' - where some slopes are floodlit for skiing and snowboarding in the evening - is available at the following resorts in the area.

Ishiuchi Maruyama:Every day until 21st March (until 8:50pm)Iwappara:Every day until 22nd March (until 8pm on weekdays and Sundays, 9pm on Saturdays)Joetsu Kokusai:Every day until 22nd March (until 9pm)Kandatsu Kogen:From 23rd January, 'all night' on holidays (6pm or 10pm until 4am the next morning)Maiko Snow Resort:Every day until 14th March (until 8pm)Naeba:Every day until 29th March (until 9pm)All night on 17th January; 14th February and 14th March (10pm until 6am)NASPA Ski Garden (skiers only):Saturdays until 29th February (until 7pm)Yuzawa Nakazato:Saturdays until 14th March (until 8:30pm)

Chateaux Shiozawa also have nighta but only on certain days - no fixed schedule available.Resorts not mentioned above do not operate 'nighta' (or do not plan to have more this season). Some resorts offer tickets that include nighta, others need a special lift ticket.